Grand Prix winner John Watson on Hamilton and Ferrari: Here’s the latest on their World Championship chances

Lewis Hamilton is giving the Tifosi something to dream about. After finishing second in both Canada and Monaco, the seven-time world champion has won his first Grand Prix for Ferrari in Spain and is now the closest challenger to championship leader Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes).

Long-serving Formula 1 driver John Watson believes Hamilton is capable of great things: “Lewis Hamilton has everything it takes as a driver to become world champion. He knows how to win races; he knows how to win titles,” the 1982 World Championship bronze medallist told the total-motorsport website.

“In Austria, I reckon Mercedes will be ahead because I see it as an engine-heavy circuit, though I don’t know how Ferrari’s latest improvements will pan out. At Silverstone, however, Lewis and Ferrari are my favourites – the circuit layout is tailor-made for the Ferrari’s strengths, and everyone knows how Hamilton can rise to the occasion on his favourite track. Now that Hamilton has really got a taste for it, I believe he’s capable of anything.”

“How quickly things change. A year ago, Lewis’s abilities were being questioned; some people were calling for him to retire, under the mistaken assumption that he no longer had what it takes. But a true racer never loses his touch, especially not when he’s the most successful Formula 1 driver of all time. I reckon that as you get older, you simply get better at pacing yourself.”

“Of course, things used to be different – you needed a lot of guts to really put your foot down and turn the wheel sharply. But sorry, that’s not how modern Formula 1 works. The cars have become so complicated that a result no longer reflects what the driver is capable of.»

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“Lewis has worked intensively on the difficulties at Ferrari and now has a race car in which he feels comfortable. And that shows on the track. And – let’s not forget – we no longer have the same winged cars as in previous years, which Hamilton didn’t really take to. I believe that the new generation of cars suits his abilities.”